Can't sell them if you can't make them - BMW

[OVERKILL]

As I'm sure everyone recalls, I test drove both the i4 M50 and iX M50 at BMW Durham and absolutely loved the i4 M50; by far my favourite EV, though my wife preferred the iX. At the time, you could order one, but the ETA was like 6-8 months.

BMW has a serious contender on their hands here with both of these vehicles (though the iX is UGLY). The performance is phenomenal, as is the ride quality and interior appointments as well as fit and finish.

But that doesn't mean a thing if you can't deliver them.

Since then, I've been periodically checking the Auto Trader to see if anyone has any stock. Nope. Clearly, the supply shortage has had a pretty big impact on the ability to produce these vehicles, which is unfortunate, because I think they would sell extremely well if BMW could have them on dealer lots.

I've seen the sales figures posted recently, and, well, you can't sell what you can't produce and deliver. Telsa is able to deliver cars while it doesn't seem that BMW is able to, at least not their EV's.

 

[MotorFan]

Let's see...... starting prices in the $85000 - $90,000 range, order wait times approaching 1 YEAR, produced within spitting distance of an accelerating, raging World War 2 1/2....what's not to like?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Management is as important as a company's products. The ability to execute... Apparantly the new kid on the block could teach the old guys a thing or 2 about software and vertical integration. I believe Tesla is dominating lux sales in the US so far this year, and that includes all cars, ICE and EV.

 

[eljefino]

Tesla's vertically integrated, which has certainly served them well lately.

 

[OVERKILL]

Let's see...... starting prices in the $85000 - $90,000 range, order wait times approaching 1 YEAR, produced within spitting distance of an accelerating, raging World War 2 1/2....what's not to like?

The i4 definitely doesn't start that expensive, though you can get into that range with the M50. i4 pricing is roughly on-par with Tesla Model Y pricing.

But yeah, the wait time is ridiculous.

 

[OVERKILL]

Management is as important as a company's products. The ability to execute... Apparantly the new kid on the block could teach the old guys a thing or 2 about software and vertical integration. I believe Tesla is dominating lux sales in the US so far this year, and that includes all cars, ICE and EV.

Yes, and I wonder how much of that sales domination is because you can't get anything from the other guys?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Yes, and I wonder how much of that sales domination is because you can't get anything from the other guys?

Has to be true. When you need a car you need a car.

 

[Quattro Pete]

How much extra to delete the huge ugly grill?

 

[OVERKILL]

How much extra to delete the huge ugly grill?

It looks a lot better blacked out. Still not great, but a lot less obnoxious:

 

[simple_gifts]

but a lot less obnoxious:

Does that also extend to the drivers....

 

[OVERKILL]

Does that also extend to the drivers....

Doubtful

 

[Koainn]

If I was in the market for an EV I'd rather wait for the BMW than live with the shoddy workmanship of a Tesla

 

[OVERKILL]

If I was in the market for an EV I'd rather wait for the BMW than live with the shoddy workmanship of a Tesla

Yeah, that's where I'm at too. The i4 M50 blew my socks off, it was an absolute hoot to drive and felt like you expect a car at that price point to feel.

 

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

If I was in the market for an EV I'd rather wait for the BMW than live with the shoddy workmanship of a Tesla

I'm not arguing re the Tesla's quality, but if BMW is really just starting-out on the road to electrification, do u expect there not to be any glitches? I'm not taking about the basic body and peripherals, but rather the battery and motors (and software)...?

 

[MotorFan]

Yes, and I wonder how much of that sales domination is because you can't get anything from the other guys?

a battery in hand is worth two in the bush!

 

[OVERKILL]

I'm not arguing re the Tesla's quality, but if BMW is really just starting-out on the road to electrification, do u expect there not to be any glitches? I'm not taking about the basic body and peripherals, but rather the battery and motors (and software)...?

They've been making the i3 for quite a while and there was the funky hybrid i8, so it's not really their first foray into electrification, it's just a much bigger push.

 

[JeffKeryk]

@OVERKILL you might have to wait regardless, as I believe the Model Y Long Range AWD is sold out for this year. I am seeing Jan - Apr 2023 lead times.
Performance versions are still available for this year.

When Giga Texas and Giga Berlin are running at full capacity, it is quite plausible that the Model Y could become the world's best-selling vehicle by overall volume. With its upward sales growth, the $70K SUV just might close in on the Toyota Corolla, quite a feat.

 

[OVERKILL]

@OVERKILL you might have to wait regardless, as I believe the Model Y Long Range AWD is sold out for this year. I am seeing Jan - Apr 2023 lead times.
Performance versions are still available for this year.

When Giga Texas and Giga Berlin are running at full capacity, it is quite plausible that the Model Y could become the world's best-selling vehicle by overall volume. With its upward sales growth, the $70K SUV just might close in on the Toyota Corolla, quite a feat.

Be interested to see the trajectory of sales as capacity grows and, also, if sales continue to increase at the same rate of their competitors can actually start delivering vehicles, lol.

 

[Danno]

Supply chain shortages are here for while.
Honda's car allocation for 2023 is 50% prepan run rates, for Canada. Iirc, some Honda OPE engines are back ordered for 1 year. Those have minimal electronics.
All these new BEVs will run into significant supply chain constraints imo.
And dealer markups on short supply BEV's will be a common occurrence.

 

[Wolf359]

Typical first year production issues. New model comes out and there's a waitlist for it. After 3-5 years, production catches up and it's no longer the latest and hottest thing on the market. Usually you also have first year or two glitches on a new model. Same thing for software, don't be the first adopter, wait for them to work out some of the bugs.